Thermal properties of epoxy resin/filler hybrid composites

Epoxy resin/filler hybrid composites were prepared by the melt blending of diglycidylether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA), as the epoxy resin, with nano-Al2O3 or nano-SiC particles, as the nanoscaled fillers. The thermal properties, such as the curing behavior, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal mechanical properties of the DGEBA/nano-Al2O3 and DGEBA/nano-SiC composites were examined using a range of techniques. As a result, the DSC curve peak temperature of both composites decreased with increasing filler content. The integral procedure decomposition temperature increased from 630 degrees C to 853 degrees C for DGEBA/nano-Al2O3 composite and 858 degrees C for DGEBA/nano-SiC composite. The char yield at 800 degrees C increased from 14.3% to 26.2-26.6% for both composites. Both composites had a 10 degrees C higher glass transition temperature than the neat epoxy resin. The coefficient of thermal expansion of both composites at the glassy and rubbery regions decreased with increasing filler content. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.